Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment. 

Blue mussels are an excellent source of nutrition and have been cultivated for food and jewelry for thousands of years since the age of Ancient Rome. Eating mussels has been associated with various nutritional benefits. But are there any benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs too? Keep exploring with us. 

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most prevalent benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs in a more scientific manner. But before we get into how blue mussels can benefit our furry friends, it’s important to know what blue-lipped mussels actually are. So, let’s get started. 

Table of contents 

• What are blue-lipped mussels? 
• Nutritional value of blue-lipped mussels 
• Benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs 
• How to use blue-lipped mussels for your cats and dogs 
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final words 

What are blue-lipped mussels? 

Mussels refer to molluscs that grow in both fresh and saltwater and are often considered kinds of seafood. There is a wide range of varieties in mussels but blue-lipped mussels and green-lipped mussels are the two most common ones. 

Blue-lipped mussels are also commonly known as common mussels, blue mussels, black mussels, and scientifically Mytilus edulis or Mytilus planulatus. It’s a kind of shellfish and is considered the most widely consumed seafood species in the world. Although blue-lipped mussels can be found in freshwater, those that we find available in the market are mostly coastal blue mussels that typically come from seawater.      

Nutritional value of blue-lipped mussels 

Blue-lipped mussels are an excellent source of micronutrients. They are rich in protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, as well as others. Blue mussels are best known for their high manganese content which has been associated with several health benefits. 

In addition, they contain considerable amounts of essential omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin C, all of which synergistically provide a range of nutritional and medicinal benefits. 

Let’s have a look at some of the most prevalent nutrients found in blue-lipped mussels: 

• Protein 
• Healthy fats including omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
• Calcium 
• manganese
• Zinc 
• Phosphorus 
• Iron 
• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin B12
• Folate 
• Glucosamine 
• Chondroitin 

Benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs 

Blue mussels and the micronutrients they contain can help not only humans but also our furry friends too in many different ways. As a powerful source of nutrients, numerous nutritional and therapeutic benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs have been often associated with by famous veterinarians. Let’s take a look at some common ones: 

Rich in protein - blue mussels are rich in protein that can help cats and dogs build and maintain healthy muscles. 

Low in calories - although they are densely packed with plenty of nutrients, blue mussels are very low in calories, meaning you don’t need to worry about your pet’s weight gain when giving them as a treat. 

Reduces inflammation - the omega-3 fatty acids including DHA and EPA found in blue-lipped mussels are natural anti-inflammatory agents that can help reduce inflammation and associated symptoms such as joint pain and swelling and improve your pet’s mobility issues. By reducing inflammation, blue mussels can hugely help your cats or dogs in preventing illnesses, especially those that are related to the cardiovascular system.  

Improves metabolism and provides cooling energy - the protein, manganese, and zinc content in blue mussels can help improve your pet’s metabolism as well as energy levels. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the protein content found in blue mussels is cool in nature and provides cooling energy which is particularly useful to balance and neutralize hot energy levels in cats and dogs with excess hot energy.

Promotes brain and cognitive function - healthy fats such as omega-3s can hugely help with brain and cognitive health which is vital for your pet’s training and cognitive function. 

Promotes healthy skin and shiny coats - feeding your cats or dogs with blue-lipped mussels can help in promoting healthy skin and shiny coats. The healthy fats in blue mussels can also reduce the chances of dandruff, irritation, and itchiness.  

Improves immune system - the antioxidant compounds found in blue mussels such as vitamin C and plenty of other nutrients can help your cats or dogs to improve their immune system and can hugely help protect them from diseases. 

 

How to use blue-lipped mussels for your cats and dogs 

You can feed your dogs or cats blue-lipped mussels in many different ways. You can use raw blue mussels by removing the hard outer shells and adding the flesh to their bowls. But because raw shellfish can be contaminated with harmful bacteria or heavy metals, cooking or steaming them is always a safer option. 

If you don’t want to handle raw mussels or steam them yourself, but still want to provide the benefits of blue-lipped mussels for your cats and dogs you can consider buying them in supplementary forms such as dried powders, oil capsules, or soft chews. 

Precautions and side effects 

Blue-lipped mussels are natural sources of nutrition and are hardly associated with adverse effects. But certain mussels may cause adverse effects such as allergic reactions and toxicity in cats or dogs. Therefore, it’s always better to ask a licensed veterinarian to determine whether they are safe and tolerable to add them to your pet’s diet regimen.   

Final words 

Blue-lipped mussels are an excellent source of micronutrients and have traditionally been a staple food source in many cultures for thousands of years. Health supplements made from mussels have been found increasingly popular for both humans and pets. Experts associate a number of benefits of blue-lipped mussels for cats and dogs including reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and enhancing metabolism, just to name a few. But consider asking your veterinarian to determine whether blue mussels are safe for your pets.

Here you can see Vorst’s high-quality Joint Formula Powder for Dogs and Cats that contains considerable amounts of mussels.  

Resources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/diet/mussels-good-for-you
2. https://www.livestrong.com/article/401576-are-mussels-healthy/
3. https://www.licious.in/blog/recipe/health-benefits-and-taste-of-mussels
4. https://www.sydneyfishmarket.com.au/Home/Seafood/Species-Information/List/blue-mussel
5. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-mussels
6. https://katesk9petcare.com/can-dogs-eat-mussels-all-you-need-to-know/
7. https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dog-eat-mussels/
8. https://www.bellyup.sg/blog/can-dogs-eat-mussels
9. https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blogs/pet-food-ingredients/health-benefits-of-mussels
10. https://hungryhound.com/blog/can-your-dog-eat-mussels/
11. https://thedoggrocer.com/product/green-lipped-and-blue-mussel-sprinkle/
12. https://www.truecarnivores.com/product/back-2-basics-mussels/#:~:text=Raw%20Chilean%20Blue%20Mussels%20are,tissue%20and%20supports%20healthy%20joints.
13. https://www.wildnfreshtreats.com/products/dehydrated-blue-mussels